Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

I do not know why the Minister did not expect the circuses to be raised. While there are two separate issues, the question was about the specific issue of assisting seals to be retired and rehomed from circus facilities. This practice has already been ceased by Fossetts Circus and Duffy's Circus has been approached by members of the Irish Seal Sanctuary with a view to having the circus work with them to get seals out of circuses and retired and rehomed.

I accept the Minister's statement that the Irish Seal Sanctuary has not asked him for assistance. He said its representatives should apply to him and he would meet them. If that is the case, I am glad to hear it and I am sure they will take that step.

The reality is that a seal in a circus, a marine athlete held in confinement in a completely unnatural environment, is wrong. I respect the fact that the Minister has brought forward animal welfare legislation, but it is not enough. However, the Minister said moneys might be available and that he will work with the sanctuary.

There is another question, which I tried to put on the agenda with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan. It is entirely inappropriate that the Arts Council funds circuses which use wildlife. My question on this issue has not been dealt with by that Minister in any format. This question was moved to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, but somebody must be accountable for public moneys being used to promote a cruel activity.

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